A Christmas Ship Comes Sailing In (A Cam and Luke TR) Completed 2/18 - Page 5 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Joining in to hear all about the cruise portion of your trip!
Welcome aboard!
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Originally Posted by SuperDave
Seems that the boarding process went quite smooth and pretty quick! Open Boarding seems like a good idea and hope they have that for my cruise. Love the room as it looks quite comfortable!
Our room was very comfortable. The only problem the two of us had was running into the bottom end corners of the bed.
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We just returned yesterday from a Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean. At two ports (Grand Cayman and Cozumel) we were in port with the Magic and I was so "homesick" for a Disney cruise. We've moved away from them as DH isn't a Disney fan like me and RC is much less expensive, but I think Disney is calling me back!!
I believe they will move to open boarding on the cruises once the crush of people who arrive early in the morning are boarded. There is usually a bit of wait early on, because they can't start the boarding process until all previous sailors are off the ship and it is cleared. That sometimes takes longer than other times. The later you arrive, the less waiting time you tend to encounter in the boarding area I have found.
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We just returned yesterday from a Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean. At two ports (Grand Cayman and Cozumel) we were in port with the Magic and I was so "homesick" for a Disney cruise. We've moved away from them as DH isn't a Disney fan like me and RC is much less expensive, but I think Disney is calling me back!!
I believe they will move to open boarding on the cruises once the crush of people who arrive early in the morning are boarded. There is usually a bit of wait early on, because they can't start the boarding process until all previous sailors are off the ship and it is cleared. That sometimes takes longer than other times. The later you arrive, the less waiting time you tend to encounter in the boarding area I have found.
I would have been so sad looking over and seeing the Magic, but not being on it. Thank goodness, Luke loves Disney as much as I do.
By the time I remembered I was supposed to set up a boarding time online there were no opening before 1:00 PM, so I picked it since it was the earliest still available. I guess it might have been very crowded then in the 1 1/2 before we came.
These first pictures were taken as we waited in line to enter the D Lounge. Folks were still boarding.
I know some have not liked or been impressed with this new light fixture, but I'm partial to understated lights rather than those that have more sparkle and shine. I found this one quite lovely.
After acquainting ourselves with the stateroom, we went to the D Lounge for the DVC members Welcome Party at 2:30. There was a long line snaking into the door. While in line we were both given Tervis mugs with the a DVC imprint. Once in the lounge it was tough finding a seat until a nice family said we could sit with them. Luke got us each a complimentary drink. Then the fun began with a sort of Family Feud game with all categories related to Disney as we have come to expect.
This is the only DVC Welcome Party picture I took as where our table was I couldn't get that pole out of the way.
There were also infomercials for Aulani and DVC as a whole. I also picked up a red DVC lanyard. The gathering lasted about an hour, and as we were exiting, the announcement was made again about the mandatory drill rapidly approaching.
We went back to our stateroom to drop off the tumblers. A third suitcase had arrived while we were at the DVC party. At 3:45 we made our way to our designated zone (L). A few folks had beat us there, but the temperature was currently 71 degrees with a strong wind blowing, so we backtracked to stay inside out of the wind and warmer until closer to time.
This was where we hung out inside until going back outside for the drill.
A very sweet CM who was stationed at the door told us he’d make sure we weren’t late. At 3:55 we joined a now crowded deck with all the other folks in section L. I know this seems a waste of time. I heard several complaints as we waited. But having done thousands of drills as a teacher, I know they work. We knew we weren’t going to the pool today as it was just too chilly, so maybe that made us more patient. Most of the complaints were from folks who wanted get the fun started now.
The view of the harbor from section L.
When we were released, we returned to our stateroom. Our final suitcase was now at the door. It was probably around 4:15 and the sail Away Party was at 4:30. I decided to unpack at least the two biggest spinners as I need to hang up our dress clothes. Luke was very sleepy since I’d been a very restless, wakeful sleeper last night. So he laid down on the couch for a nap. In the end, I finished all the unpacking and let him sleep instead of going to the party. Once I’d finished the unpacking, I worked on my computer using the free 50 MB of data for this first day only. Remember I thought I had repacked my Nook, which I had been reading on during the drive to the port. Well, it was NOT in the backpack and I’m hoping at this point that when we return next Sunday it will still be in the car. I have the Nook app on my laptop, but I need to download the books I was reading. That way I wouldn’t need Wi-Fi to continue reading. Unfortunately, none of the three books opened at the point I had gotten to on my actual Nook. So then I had to skim each to find where I last remembered reading. Finally, I had my books all set up again.
Just as I completed this task, I felt movement and looking outside, I could tell we were no moving. I grabbed the camera to document the moment from our veranda. Sadly, our view of the port was mainly industrial. Boring! At 5:15 I came back inside to change for dinner and Luke woke up soon after to get ready as well. Tonight was scheduled as cruise casual.
Since the setting was not thrilling, I attempted to get a bird in each photo.
Now the fun is really about to begin! I have more than 9 months to wait but I'm do excited to cruise again. I hope they're still giving out those Tervis when we go. I'd love one.
A lot of nice shots within The Magic! I actually like that new light fixture in one of your photos!
I'm sort of unclear about the dress code for dinner. What are they and are they enforced? Not sure, if I want to bring a jacket and tie for my cruise, but just may go with khaki's and dress shirts! Don't want a lot of extra luggage!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Not a DVC member yet, so I won't be getting one of these on my cruise! Got to think about the finances, but may do one day. Got to do a lot of thinking on this venture!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
I agree that the drill is important, even though it does get tedious to do again and again. I always feel like the cruise has really begun after the drill.... all my assigned tasks are complete and it's time to just relax and see where the moment takes me. There's nothing like the leisure of a cruise!
I agree that the drill is important, even though it does get tedious to do again and again. I always feel like the cruise has really begun after the drill.... all my assigned tasks are complete and it's time to just relax and see where the moment takes me. There's nothing like the leisure of a cruise!
Sounds like a good philosophy to me Laurie even though prior to my first cruise adventure, just around the corner!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
I'm not sure what is worse....wind whipping OR sun blazing?!?! We were on the other side of the ship I believe for our drill. Annoying yes, but I always pay attention, as I do on the airplanes as well.......I "know" the rules, but always feel I have to make eye contact with the people performing the drills. IDK why...I just do.
I don't think we've ever had a DVC welcome party on boarding day before on our cruises, so that was interesting to read about that. It's a good way to pass the time before the drill.
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Open Boarding seems like a good idea and hope they have that for my cruise. 
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Pixie Dust
Disney Magic - Oct 2015
What are they and are they enforced? Not sure, if I want to bring a jacket and tie for my cruise, but just may go with khaki's and dress shirts! 
Got to think about the finances, but may do one day. Got to do a lot of thinking on this venture! 
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